Ravens at Redskins -- Week 14
Where: FedEx Field; Landover, Md. (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Redskins by 2.5
Forecast: Temperatures in the low 50s with a 30 percent chance that it will rain.
Records: Ravens (Overall: 9-3; AFC North: 4-1); Redskins (Overall: 6-6; NFC East: 3-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 7, 2008: Ravens 24, Redskins 10; Oct. 10, 2004: Ravens 17, Redskins 10. Series record: Ravens lead 3-1.
What matters: The Ravens have to find consistency on offense and this may be the week to do it. The Redskins are banged up at cornerback with DeAngelo Hall in a walking boot, though there's a chance he could still play. In addition, Washington will be without CB Cedric Griffin, who’s suspended for the remaining four regular season games. QB Joe Flacco is on pace to throw 568 passes this season, which would be a career high, and could see a lot of throws this week despite the need to get Ray Rice more involved running the ball. But if Baltimore gets in a rut and fails to convert on third downs then Flacco and the offense could begin sputtering, a recurring theme of late.
Who matters: How efficient can Terrell Suggs be just one week removed tearing his right biceps? Suggs participated in Thursday and Friday’s practices so there’s a great chance he'll play this week. Assuming he does, not only does he have to worry about his injury, but he also has the burden of an ongoing dispute with his former fiancee on his mind. If Suggs can’t play, the Ravens could be in for a long day. The Ravens run defense was horrid before Suggs came back from an Achilles tear and Washington has been the best rushing team in the NFL in 2012. If Baltimore’s without Suggs, expect a lot of running room for both Alfred Morris and Robert Griffin III.
Key matchups: Ravens front seven vs. Morris. Morris has set a franchise rookie record with 1,106 rushing yards this season, which is remarkable considering he was a 2012 sixth round draft pick. If Morris is able to grind out four-yard gains to pick up first downs, the wide runs then open, which then makes it easier to pass downfield. Baltimore will need to take the run away and force Washington to throw the ball, which is easier said than done against this unit. … Ravens S Ed Reed vs.RG3. Griffin has done a great job with ball security, only throwing four interceptions this season. Reed is still one of the better free safeties in the game, having picked off 61 career passes. Reed will look to confuse the rookie into some errant throws, something Griffin has done a good job of avoiding.
Inside stuff: Special teams could play a big role in this game. Baltimore has one of the better coverage units, holding teams to an average of 23.3 yards per kickoff return and 6.3 yards per punt return. In addition, Redskins K Kai Forbath is not that great of a kickoff specialist, which could open things up for Jacoby Jones in the return game.
Milestone in reach: WR Anquan Boldin needs just six more receiving yards to reach 10,000 for his career. He currently has 762 catches for 9,994 yards. For the season, Boldin has 750 yards on 55 catches.
Connections: Redskins OG Chris Chester and CB Josh Wilson both played for the Ravens previously. Chester was with the Ravens from 2006-2010 and Wilson was in Baltimore for the 2010 season. … Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta’s first NFL job was as a training camp intern with the Redskins’ player personnel department in 1995. … Ravens OC Cam Cameron was the Redskins QBs coach from 1994-1996. … Ravens NT Ma’ake Kemoeatu was with Washington in 2010.
Stat you should know: The Ravens have given up 11 rushing touchdowns this season, with only seven teams giving up more. Meanwhile, the Redskins have punched in 13 rushing touchdowns, with only five teams totaling more.
Injury report: Suggs has a biceps tear and will be a game time decision. CB Jimmy Smith (sports hernia surgery) practiced this week but his status is in doubt. TE Ed Dickson (knee) and ILB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle) did not practice this week and will both miss the game. WR Jacoby Jones (ankle) and S Ed Reed (shoulder) are expected to play.
Looking ahead: The Ravens still have three games remaining in a tough four-game home stretch. After facing the Redskins, the Ravens will have a Denver team come into town with a long week to regroup after winning big over Oakland on Thursday.
Prediction: Redskins 24, Ravens 16
Follow Ravens reporter Jason Butt on Twitter: @CBSRavens and @JasonButtCBS.